| **Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)** | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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| **Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]**                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]               | The table below presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, including other comprehensive income and the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in millions): UnrealizedUnrealizedForeignAccumulated Gain (Loss) OnGain (Loss) OnCurrencyOther Available-for-saleDerivativeTranslationComprehensive SecuritiesInstrumentsAdjustmentIncomeAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, at January 1, 2011$15$—$69$84Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications3—(71)(68)Amounts reclassified to net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income————Other comprehensive income (loss)3—(71)(68)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, at December 31, 201118—(2)16Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications10—2838Amounts reclassified to net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income(8)——(8)Other comprehensive income (loss)2—2830Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, at December 29, 201220—2646Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications53—8Amounts reclassified to net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income(8)——(8)Other comprehensive income (loss)(3)3——Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, at December 28, 2013$17$3$26$46 |
| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]          | The table below provides details about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and the line items impacted in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in millions): Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income  201320122011Statements of Earnings ClassificationUnrealized gain on available-for-sale securities: Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities$13$14$—Other expense, net (5)(6)—Income tax expense 88—Net earnings before noncontrolling interest $8$8$—Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

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| - Details**Name:**stj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of information about items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=SL7669686-108580
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |